October 27, 2011 - Internet Woes, (continued)

You are all trying to be so helpful! Let me explain what is going on down here...

The RV park across the street and the library are the only internet sources for me. In the past I've always had a so-so connection from the park. I do pay for it, at their going rate of $10 a month. When it was working better than it is now, it was $30 a month. In the past couple of years their equipment just hasn't been working well (translate: cheap router that has to be reset every few hours), so rather than upgrade the equipment, they just lowered the price. There is no password. I pay my money, and they enter my computer's MAC number into their data, which gives me access. Last week I was getting a strong signal, so I took my money over to the park owner to pay for this month's WIFI. She said they had been having problems with it, and might have to limit it to park residents only and allot time periods for different people to use it, and wouldn't take my $10. I am still in the system, and sometimes (like right now) it does work, but I have to sit outside to get the signal. There have only been a couple of times in the past week that I could get anything at all.

This is a tiny town, there is no cable TV/internet, and the only dial up provider stopped their services this summer. The only way to get internet is via satellite or through the cell phone company. Considering the length of time we are down here, so far both methods are way too costly. My cell phone provider is ATT, and I would have to sign a two year contract with them to get an affordable (and limited) connection. I'm just not going to do that when I have a reliable and unlimited cable connection at home, 7-8 months of the year. Amy (daughter) is looking into other prepaid plans, but only ATT and Verizon service this area, all others would entail roaming charges or have no coverage here at all.

So that's my dilemma. It's by guess or by golly for a connection here at the house, or drive down to the library on Tuesday/Thursday.

Really, I'm not doing anything exciting enough to blog about right now anyway! Today I pruned some of the oleanders (only three of the 16 or so I have to do), made a big pot of navy bean soup, picked two jalapeno peppers from the traveling plant (they weren't a bit hot) and made a dozen jalapeno cornbread muffins. Luckily I brought some jalapeno jelly I can put on them for heat.

Now, I'd better get this published before I lose the connection again....if it's not already too late!

There doesn't seem to be an easy solution to your internet situation. I am so sorry to hear that but do totally understand for the time you are there I guess we will all have to suffer with out withdrawal symptoms of not hearing from you for a while. Good luck with at least getting here once in a while.

Hey Granny~ Just now getting caught up. Glad you made the trip safely. Is Mr. Granny feeling better yet?

To arrive to 97degree weather.. wow! lol I would've had a hard time leaving that pretty green yard of yours too!

I'll be making chili and cornbread tomorrow (well, I guess technically it's later today now...) for Halloween. But my daughter came home feeling yucky so we'll see if there even will be any trick or treating this year. It got cold so fast this year. We all often get colds with the temperature changes. It's almost like we went from super hot, humid summer to fall for, maybe 2 weeks, and then straight on into winter. bleh! It's about 38 here right now and I'm sitting in front of the heater keeping my toes toasty! :)

I enjoy your blog posts so much. I hope that you can find a solution to the internet problem. And I was so sorry to hear about the tragic loss of your bunny so close to your sojourn south. My condolences.

Annie's Granny: Sorry about your internet woes; it sounds like you need a wireless internet connection.

Most all telephone carriers have them now, such as AT&T, Spint, Verizon etc.

Chances are your computer has a USB slot. So you just have to cough up the money, and they will give you a little card that looks about like a pack of chewing gum with a connector on the side.

You just plug it into your computer and like magic, you are online in seconds.

I think there may also be some generic wireless cards available now that do not require a contract. If you don't want to use the wireless when you get "home" to Washington, you should look into that type. Otherwise, I have used both Sprint and Verizon and they both give a very fast connection.